She went in, but found nobody, and there was dead silence. Suddenly a voice cried—
Nor in this house of death abide.’
The Maiden looked up, and saw that the voice came from a bird in a cage hanging on the wall. Once more it made the same cry—
Nor in this house of death abide.’
The beautiful Bride went from room to room, all over the house, but they were all empty; not a soul was to be seen. At last she reached the cellar, and there she found an old, old woman with a shaking head.
‘Can you tell me if my Bridegroom lives here?’
‘Alas! poor child,’ answered the old woman, ‘little dost thou know where thou art; thou art in a murderer’s den. Thou thoughtest thou wast about to be married, but death will be thy marriage. See here, I have had to fill this kettle with water, and when they have thee in their power they will kill thee without mercy, cook, and eat thee, for they are eaters of human flesh. Unless I take pity on thee and save thee, thou art lost.’ Then the old woman led her behind a great cask, where she could not be seen. ‘Be as quiet as a mouse,’ she said. ‘Don’t stir, or all will be lost. To-night, when the murderers are asleep, we will fly. I have long waited for an opportunity.’
Hardly had she said this when the riotous crew came home. They dragged another maiden with them, but as they were quite drunk they paid no attention to her shrieks and lamentations. They gave her wine to drink, three glasses full—red, white, and yellow. After she had drunk them she fell down dead. The poor Bride hidden behind the cask was terrified; she trembled and shivered, for she saw plainly to what fate she was destined.
